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Claire's journey to entrepreneurship has been a squiggly path to say the least, filled with pivotal career changes and personal challenges to overcome.

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Growing up on the outskirts of Edinburgh with her own array of farm animals, Claire was always eager to explore new horizons, get outdoors and was never one to follow the crowd. This spirit of adventure led her to pursue a degree in Ocean Science and Technology in the Engineering sector. Whilst her academic path may seem far removed from the world of business, it instilled a deep appreciation for the learning curves and adaptations that would occur throughout her career and also provided a great talking point in networking conversations.

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Claire's 'portfolio career' began as a Customer Service Assistant at Sainsburys plc, making some extra money to get her through University. She moved into the corporate world, quickly discovering a passion for helping others to grow and succeed. She thrived in dynamic environments, embracing new challenges and developing a strong understanding of human behaviour and organisational strategies. She moved across various roles within a FTSE100 company, always searching for the next exciting project that made her want to get up in the morning. 

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In 2015, Claire and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world and so the balancing act of work and child care began. Claire strived for a better work-life balance, moving roles to find something she enjoyed and that wouldn't negatively impact their very precious family time. She worked hard to make a three-day week work for her and still develop professionally.

 

Taking on an additional role of a Mental Health Network Chair and Mental Health First Aider in 2019, she was exposed to colleagues across the Group and enjoyed the challenges of bringing everyone on a journey of self-discovery and raising awareness of mental health in the workplace. It was at this time, that she moved with her family to the Scottish Borders to start their dream life with their own array of animals and the beautiful countryside on their doorstep. Little did they know that the pandemic was just around the corner.

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Amidst the successes and achievements, there are always personal setbacks and barriers to overcome. However, these experiences, while challenging, taught Claire invaluable lessons about resilience, self-compassion, and the importance of prioritising wellbeing in all aspects of life.

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In 2022, she was asked (and jumped at the chance!) to help develop a propositional strategy to implement flexible working that worked for over 8000 employees. Working with senior leaders across divisions to implement a programme of work that impacts the future of work for all was highly rewarding and alongside completing an apprenticeship as a Professional Coach, she left the corporate world on a high at the end of 2023.

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Coaching and mentoring has always been a big part of Claire's life, particularly in the work setting. The desire to now share her lessons and empower others to navigate their own unique journeys, ultimately led her to establish Spark Dot Grow in 2024. 

 

"I believe that everyone has the potential to achieve their own dreams, and I'm dedicated to providing the support and guidance needed to unlock that potential."